For the study, UCLA researchers and the Gallup organization polled 18,614 US adults—ages 18 to 99 about their memory as well as a variety of lifestyle and health habits. They found that, despite age, many of the habits increased the likelihood of memory problems. Three of the biggest memory-zoinking culprits: depression, lack of exercise, and high blood pressure.

While the study didn't go into exactly why these factors affected memory complaints across all age groups, previous research has shown that getting your heart rate up improves blood flow to the brain, which helps boost brain function—memory included. And that might be why regulating your blood pressure is important, too. Over time, high BP damages the arteries to restrict blood flow to your noggin.

The connection to depression, which the study found is the single strongest risk factor for memory complaints among all ages, however, is a little murkier. But one popular explanation is that surging levels of the stress hormone cortisol actually shrink the hippocampus, the area of the brain responsible for short-term memory. No good.

If you find yourself suffering from space-case brain more often than you like, make sure you're getting your sweat on regularly (and see a doctor about that blood pressure!). And if you suffer from depression, be sure to speak with a professional about the best course of treatment to help you.

And if your memory is still not quite the sharpest tool in the shed, and none of those three culprits are to blame, end the frustration with these simple memory-boosting tips—they are even easy to remember!

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